Teambuilding – the why, what and how?

Spring is in the air, time to revitalise your team. Teambuilding or awaydays may sound like a great idea, but there is much to consider before deciding on what type of event would be best for you.

Why?

Why bother with teambuilding? We all know that the greatest efficiency and productivity in the workplace comes from people that feel respected and valued and who work together as a team in a supportive environment. In any team that works hard, however, this can fall down and now and again morale can need a boost. In worst case scenarios, lack of communication, misunderstandings or a clash of personalities can split a team apart. The best time to deal with team problems is before they happen. This means monitoring team dynamics and planning in regular team building action.

What?

There’s a wealth of teambuilding activities to choose from. Most importantly, whatever you choose should have a clearly defined goal unique to the needs of your business and to your team.

Consider the following questions:

• What is the size and make up of your team?
• What roles do each of your team play in the workplace?
• Is there a specific gap in the training, knowledge or skills of your team that needs to be filled?
• What unique skills do members of your team possess? Can these be fostered or passed on to others?
• Do you want your team to learn new skills or enhance existing competencies?
• Is there a problem in the team that needs to be fixed?

The answers to these questions will help you and your provider to decide on which activities will best suit your needs.

How?

A good teambuilding event will allow a group to work towards a common goal by solving problems, learning a new skill or producing something new.

Outdoor activities can be great fun and get staff away from the usual indoor office environment. They often involve physical challenges and using different types of skills that are not always seen on a daily basis. Examples might include High Ropes Courses, Dragon Boat Racing, Tank Driving, Treasure Hunts or a variety of games and experiences in a bespoke Activity Day.

Indoor challenges also work well, particularly if it is something unusual that participants are unlikely to have experienced before. Examples here might include Cookery Challenges, Cocktail Making, Team Games and Escape Rooms.

Consider the individuals within your team before deciding on your activity as full group engagement is important – you don’t want anyone to feel embarrassed or uncomfortable.

It can be fun to keep your team guessing once your activity is booked, building an air of mystery and excitement as the day approaches. It’s always a good idea to give some idea of dress code, however, as you won’t want anyone turning up for an outdoor activity day dressed in their best suit.

For awaydays where there might be a more business focus, mixing up indoor information giving sessions with an element of outdoor team building, will help to make a day more fun and memorable.

If planned well a teambuilding day will leave your team communicating better and more aware of each other’s capabilities and strengths. All good things to take back for another day in the office.

For further ideas on how to build your team see our teambuilding services page.